Holton-le-Clay schools praised by Ofsted inspectors

SUCCESS: Children from years one and two at Holton-le-Clay Infant School, members of the sewing club and football club, celebrate the school's Ofsted report, with head teacher, Carole Craven, right, and, from left, Lynn Peart, higher level teaching assistant and teachers Laura Taylor, Val Cox, and Kathryn Haywood. Pictures: Rick Byrne

Both the infant and the junior schools were rated as good by Ofsted inspectors.

They praised the support from parents, who raised more than £2,000 to build a Pirate Ship in the playground last term.

The junior and infant schools are led by the same head teacher, Carole Craven, in charge of the federation of Holton-le-Clay's schools.

She was delighted the infant school had improved from a "satisfactory" rating to a "good" standard.

Mrs Craven said: "Although we like to believe we offer a high standard of education to our pupils, it is nice to have Ofsted inspectors come along and confirm that we are."

The head teacher, who is due to retire at the end of the summer term, said she was particularly pleased with the comments of inspectors after visiting the 105 pupils in the infant school and the 148 juniors.

In their report, inspectors said of the infant school: "Staff and pupils reap significant benefits from the well-managed federation that has strengthened the school's leadership and improved teaching so that pupils achieve well."

They added: "Pupils thrive in the caring atmosphere. As a result, their behaviour is good and they demonstrate positive attitudes to learning."

"In class, pupils are enthusiastic and responsive, eager to learn and persevere. They are stimulated by the bright and attractive layout of activities, inside and outside."

Inspectors also visited the junior school earlier last month and said: "This is a good school. Outcomes for pupils have been better than those in similar schools nationally for most of the past ten years and continue to improve as this school and its federation partner infant school go from strength to strength."

They said strong relationships give rise to an "exceptionally safe and harmonious atmosphere that pervades the school".

The school also provides a host of extra curricular activities, including after-school clubs in football skills and sewing.

Isabella Stones, 7, said: "It has been fun making the paper chain for the Diamond Jubilee. I like the school because we get to see our work put up on the wall and on display, like the peg puppets."

Her cousin, Luke Wright, 6, said: "I like doing writing and we write about the books we are reading, like The Giant And The Frippit".

Jane Woods, 42, has a daughter Olivia, 5, at the school.

She said: "It is a lovely village school and the teachers are really good with the kids. It is very welcoming and there is plenty of parental support for events. Most come from the village but there are some from outside. They help raise money for trips, such as the pantomime at the theatre."